The Bad Boy Bargain by Kendra C. Highley

Baseball player Kyle Sawyer has many labels: bad boy, delinquent, ladies’ man, fearless outfielder… Only one of them is actually true. But then sweet ballet dancer Faith Gladwell asks him to help wreck her reputation, and everything goes sideways.

Faith knows a thing or two about love, and what she had with her cheating jerk of an ex wasn’t it. When he starts spreading rumors about her being an Ice Queen, Faith decides it’s time to let a little bad into her life.

Lucky for her, Kyle Sawyer—dark, dangerous, totally swoonworthy Kyle Sawyer—is landscaping her backyard over Spring Break. Shirtless. And if she can convince him to play along, “dating” Kyle will silence the rumors.

But Faith’s plan threatens to expose Sawyer’s biggest secret of all…and that’s a risk he’s not willing to take.

Disclaimer: This book contains drop-the-book-and-fan-yourself kisses...and touches. Fall in love with a bad boy at your own risk.

Book 1
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆☆
5 Delicious Stars.

Entangled Crush books always put me in a good mood, and The Bad Boy Bargain most definitely lived up to its publisher. Nothing like an injection of feel-good innocence to make this pessimistic, grown woman believe in the warmth of budding young love.

The very first thing I want to address is the fact that I could feel how much Faith and Kyle took over Kendra C. Highley. The characters chose their story vs the author using the plot to herd them where she wanted them to go. Evolving organically, it was obvious by the pure chemistry pouring from the pages how much the author was writing the story the characters demanded to tell.

Young Adult or Adult, it's impossible not to blush and smile at how Faith and Kyle were feeling one another all throughout the book. It wasn't insta-love/lust, just appreciation that grew into friendship, and eventually grew into love.

Banter. Flirting. Their true personalities glowed when they were together out of mutual respect and trust.

Faith is a good girl – a good student, a good daughter, a good friend, and a determined dancer/singer. She believes in true love and not bending to a boyfriend who just wants something from her. She doesn't cave, but she has a boyfriend with octopus hands and a disappointed expression – a boyfriend she's determined to drop.

After an event that feels like a kick in the teeth, then spirals into something even more disgusting, Faith's current boyfriend becomes her ex. She seeks not vengeance but justice.

Kyle has a bad boy image – untouchable, doesn't date high school girls, has a bad rep, maybe even a rap-sheet. But all that is just a facade hiding the real Kyle beneath. A bullied kid who uses his rep as a shield against the very guy who is tarnishing Faith's good girl image.

Together, the perceived bad boy and the good girl join forces to put their mutual bully/ex in his place – sparks fly and real emotions are felt.

Proof the reader doesn't need a bunch of bells and whistles (shock-value) to elicit emotions within the reader while providing a burst of angst... Kyle was an amazing character who knew what he wanted to do and loved every minute of it, as did Faith – truly good people who I'm so happy found what they were looking for.

Besides that, the side characters offered just as much entertainment value. Faith's friend, Violet, I'd love to beg Highley to write us a novel featuring her as a narrator, perhaps with Kyle's buddy (pretty please?!?).

Proving not all young adult novels have ghosts/'ought to lose their children to CPS' for parents, Faith's parents were awesome, understanding, and all-around great people. Kyle's family was unique, being raised by his granddad and dad, both of which were equally different. Granddad was a hoot!

With refreshingly realistic characters, a good foundation and moral to the story, I highly recommend The Bad Boy Bargain to young adults and adults who want to remember the first stirrings of a crush.

Young Adult age-range: 14+ due to sexual situations (fade-to-black & kissing)

Kendra C. Highley lives in north Texas with her husband and two children. She also serves as staff to four self-important and high-powered cats. This, according to the cats, is her most critical job. She believes in everyday magic, extraordinary love stories, and the restorative powers of dark chocolate.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of The Bad Boy Bargain (Suttonville Sentinels #1) by Kendra C. Highley to read and review.

Head Above Water by Caitlin Ricci

Robbie’s life has improved since coming to Thornwood. Dan is safely behind bars where he can no longer hurt Robbie, his boyfriend, Sam, is loving and supportive, and he finds tranquility while riding his horse.

But Robbie still faces obstacles. Dan’s abuse haunts him, and the repercussions don’t end there. One brother’s pain and another’s rage threaten to rip Robbie’s family apart.

Sam cherishes his time riding with Robbie and the peace they find when they’re alone together. He’d do anything to preserve that happiness for Robbie, but the world and its problems are never far behind them—and they’ll need all their strength to deal with what might be their biggest challenge yet.

Book 2
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Harmony Ink

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars
M/M Romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

This is the second book in the Ricci series. While I was glad that this series has continued, this book had some definite ups and downs.

Daniel is still sour about his life, the direction it's headed and confused. Not only does he take it out on his youngest brother, but on Robbie, still, too. He is mean, unsympathetic, and vindictive. It was a relief when he decided that he needed to leave.

Sam and Robbie are trying to navigate their relationship. It's new, but something that they both need and deserve. Even though there are some communication issues between the two, they seem to know when and how to push.

Sam knows that if he gives Robbie his full support, that even though Robbie is struggling right now, they will come through together. Robbie is it for Sam.

Robbie is struggling with what was revealed during the first book – his father's identity. Does he pursue a relationship with him? Will it help heal his broken heart?

This book reveals a lot more of the dynamic between brothers, Robbie and Sam's relationship, and the relationship between the kids' guardian. The chemistry between the lovers was lukewarm at best – but I think that this book was about more than their relationship. But, because this book was about more than their relationship, it seemed to have so much going on that there was a lot to digest in a short amount of time.

Overall, this was just okay for me.

Also Available in the Robbie & Sam Series

Book 1
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ARe  ~  B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Harmony Ink

For reviews & more info, check out our Weathering the Storm post.

Caitlin began writing when she was in middle school but it wasn't until 2012 that she first got up the guts to submit something to a publisher. That first short story was accepted and later that same year she quit her job and became a full time author. She is forever grateful to her readers for giving her first short story a chance and for their continued support as well.

Caitlin was fortunate growing up to be surrounded by family and teachers that encouraged her love of reading. She has always been a voracious reader and that love of the written word easily morphed into a passion for writing. If she isn't writing, she can usually be found studying as she works toward her counseling degree. She comes from a military family and the men and women of the armed forces are close to her heart. She also enjoys gardening and horseback riding in the Colorado Rockies where she calls home with her wonderful fiancé and their two dogs. Her belief that there is no one true path to happily ever after runs deeply through all of her stories.

Connect with Caitlin

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Head Above Water (Robbie & Sam #2) by Caitlin Ricci to read and review.

Falling for the Girl Next Door by Tera Lynn Childs

Sloane Whitaker never expected to like living in Texas, but after a few months in the Lone Star State, she has to admit she likes the food, the school, and the boy next door. What she doesn’t like is the fact that half her family is still back in New York. Convincing her dad to relocate to Texas requires making their upcoming visit as perfect as possible. The perfect dinner, the perfect daughter...with the perfect boyfriend.

But when her not-so-perfect boyfriend Tru Dorsey is suddenly not-so-available, Sloane has to find another dad-impressing guy to show off at dinner. Tru himself suggests enlisting the help of a fake boyfriend, but the reality of another guy with Sloane on his arm might be more than Tru can manage. Add in a mysterious blackmailer and a divided family, and Sloane and Tru’s relationship might not be able to handle the heat.

Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book contains a bad boy next door, the good girl who snags his heart, and one epically disastrous ruse-gone-wrong. Join the fun at your own risk.

Book 5
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆
Not a standalone. This is book #2 of the Sloane and Tru trilogy (I believe these are trilogies), the first couple set within the Creative HeArts universe as #1 and #5 (this book) in the series. Creative HeArts is a series of 4 couples interconnecting, each receiving a trilogy of books. The books must be read in order.

While I've enjoyed the Creative HeArts series as a whole, Sloane and Tru's first book was my least favorite of the series. However, I believe this was written with more maturity and focus than its predecessor.

Sloane and Tru are a couple at the beginning of the book, as they had been at the end of the previous installment, only they have some unresolved issues to work through. Sloane wants her family to be together, feeling guilty as if it was her fault they were split between Texas and NYC. Readers knew there was more lurking beneath the surface, for everyone in the cast.

This is a slightly darker read in terms of content, focusing on Tru's acceptance of his addiction and why he sought the bottle. I appreciated and applaud the author on tackling this tough subject matter, hopefully helping a younger reader through a similar situation.

Many of my issues with the first installment were addressed, with more maturity shown for the subject matter (I felt it was flippantly handled previously). However, there was one thread, while it may play into another couple's book, that was out of place and distracting from the overall direction the author was going. While this thread was woven into the entire book, it seemed to fizzle out and basically be forgotten by the author. In my opinion, it felt forced, unnecessary, and distracting.

I was pleased with not only the character development, but the author's growth from one book to the next, and found Falling for the Girl Next Door to be a worthy addition to the Creative HeArts series.

I can't wait to see what else is in store for these couples.

Young adult age-range: 12+. Kissing. Addiction.

Also Available in the Creative HeArts Series

Book 1
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For reviews & more info, check out our Ten Things Sloane Hates About Tru post.

Book 2
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For reviews & more info, check out our How Willa Got Her Groove Back post.

Book 3
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For reviews & more info, check out our Crazy, Stupid, Fauxmance post.

Book 4
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B&N

For reviews & more info, check out our The Secret Life of a Dream Girl post.

Tera Lynn Childs is the RITA-award-winning young adult author of the mythology-based Oh. My. Gods. series, the Forgive My Fins mermaid romance series, the kick-butt monster-hunting Sweet Venom trilogy, and the Darkly Fae series. She also writes the City Chicks sweet chick lit romance series and is co-writing the Hero Agenda series with Tracy Deebs. Tera lives nowhere in particular and spends her time writing wherever she can find a comfy chair and a steady stream of caffeinated beverages.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Falling for the Girl Next Door (Creative HeArts #5) by Tera Lynn Childs to read and review.

Arena by Holly Jennings

Now in trade paperback, the “thrilling” (New York Times bestselling author Jason M. Hough) near-future science fiction debut about the action-packed world of competitive gaming...

Every week, Kali Ling fights to the death on national TV. She’s died hundreds of times. And it never gets easier...

The RAGE tournaments—the Virtual Gaming League’s elite competition where the best gamers in the world compete in a fight to the digital death. Every kill is broadcast to millions. Every player leads a life of ultimate fame, responsible only for entertaining the masses.

And though their weapons and armor are digital, the pain is real.

Chosen to be the first female captain in RAGE tournament history, Kali Ling is at the top of the world—until one of her teammates overdoses. Now she’s stuck trying to work with a hostile new teammate who’s far more distracting than he should be.

Between internal tensions and external pressures, Kali is on the brink of breaking. To change her life, she’ll need to change the game. And the only way to revolutionize an industry as shadowy as the VGL is to fight from the inside…

Book 1
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆☆
5 Virtual Reality Stars

Holly Jennings is a new-to-me author. I had no expectations when I decided to read this novel, having no idea where it would go. As a lifelong gamer, anytime I spot a book featuring gamer content, I jump at the chance to read it. I've found two others in the past year featuring a similar theme – one in which worked, and one that didn't.

Arena more than worked for me. I found myself completely engaged throughout the entire novel, clicking page after page to find out what happened next.

In a world set in the year 2054 in the United States, virtual gaming is everyone's favorite pastime. High-stakes, sponsors, team owners, competitors, drug abuse, with no doubt the world gambling on the outcomes.

Kali is a 20-year-old female virtual gamer, but what they do in the virtual world reflects their abilities in actuality. Gamers are pro-athletes who train hard and party harder to appease their fans and sponsors. The more salacious, the better the ratings, featured on more gossip rags and scandal sheets, the more high-profile sponsors the team acquires. There is a dark underbelly to the sport, infecting its players.

While the narrator is 20 years old, I do believe younger readers would gain the most enjoyment out of the read. I'm not saying someone of my advanced age didn't enjoy every word. Simply stating this is a good opportunity for younger gamers to be bitten by the reading bug.

Arena is a progression for Kali, from unhealthy to healthy to inspiring and empowering, with a strong Taoism theme. The quotes and philosophies showed the growth of our characters, and perhaps will influence the reader to seek a similar mindset. The book itself revolves around Kali understanding the difference between reality and virtual reality, getting healthy, and trying to change the industry she loves so much.

Do I believe non-gamers would enjoy this novel? I'm on the fence, simply because of the concepts included in the book. RPG/MMORPG game players will wish they lived in 2054 – I know I do. I believe it would be easier to read, more enjoyable in fact, and humorous when games we play today are brought up in everyday conversations by the team. But those who read science-fiction, even if they aren't a gamer, may enjoy it nonetheless.

End thoughts: Erica wants to play!

I'm curious to see what else Holly Jennings publishes next.

Recommended for 14+ due to violence (no different than what they are already experiencing during gameplay) with fade-to-black sexual content and kissing. Drug abuse is featured on the pages – which is a moral of the book.

Holly Jennings is a self- proclaimed nerd and lover of all things geeky and weird. As the firstborn to a sports enthusiast, it was soon discovered that the only games she’d ever learn to master involved consoles and controllers. Her childhood was spent crushing virtual foes, racing on simulated tracks, and rescuing digital princesses. As a young adult, she fell in love with English class, speculative novels, and comic books, which inspired her to create stories of her own. Eventually, her passions converged and she started writing about the future of video games. She lives in Canada.

Connect with Holly

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Arena (Arena #1) by Holly Jennings to read and review.

Infinity by Jus Accardo

There are three things Kori knows for sure about her life:

One: Her army general dad is insanely overprotective.

Two: The guy he sent to watch her, Cade, is way too good-looking.

Three: Everything she knew was a lie.

Now there are three things Kori never knew about her life:

One: There’s a device that allows her to jump dimensions.

Two: Cade’s got a lethal secret.

Three: Someone wants her dead.

Book 1
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ARe  ~  B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆
3.5 Stars

Jus Accardo is a new-to-me author. After signing up to read this book, I'd forgotten the premise, didn't reread the blurb, and went into this blindly. I found Infinity to have an intriguing, original concept. I was hooked immediately at the start, with Kori tagging a wall in vivid color. Falling into the story during Kori's narration about her lost mother and military father, I knew I was going to devour the book in one sitting... but the art was never shown again.

Since I hadn't reread the blurb, I got more than I had bargained for. The beginning was a great setup, but it devolved into a mystery in an uncomfortable way. All things that happened never would've happened if anyone would've said anything to Kori. Anything. That's not a mystery. Don't act like Kori is being a too-stupid-to-live damsel in distress when no one informed her there was danger in the first place.

Let's be rational adults protecting a 17-year-old girl – a US General, for goodness sake, couldn't be bothered to say, "Hey, Kori. There's some danger on the base, so I want you to stick close to home with your babysitters."

Since the narrator didn't know, and Kori was telling the story, the reader didn't know. So, for me, at this point, there was a major issue with pacing and the release of information. Kori was frustrated because no one was answering her nonstop questions, yet acting as if she should just know the answers, which meant I was frustrated as a reader, because the author was treating me as if I should just know too.

Yes, it was to lend a mysterious air to the novel. No, I didn't enjoy it, because this created a chaotic vibe, but not in a fast-paced action sort of way. No, readers, it isn't you not connecting the dots – there are no dots given to connect in the beginning of the book. Yes, the info was released eventually. But this is not what a mystery should make. There are true mysteries, then there is the failure to pace the story, to release info in a fluid fashion, as to not bombard the reader with an info-dump after confusing them.

I need to state I am a 38-year-old professional plotter (writer/editor) and avid reader of thousands of books, and this is a young adult book. My point being, a young adult would be beyond confused, unless they just flowed with it and pretended they knew what was happening prior to the info-dump.

Infinity had an intriguing premise, with a lot of plotting that had to come together seamlessly. The world-building was creative and inventive (I won't give away plot points or details – no spoiling the confusion for the sake of mystery for my fellow readers).

Angst. Insta-love. Loyalty. Family. Friendship. Sacrifice. Infinity had all the things young adults seek in a novel, tied up with a star-crossed lovers’ vibe.

Besides my issue with the execution of the pacing of flow of information, a major problem was there would've been no book at all if during the multiple times during the book they actually stopped the bad guy. There was nothing preternatural about him – they just refused to stop him. No less than three people at any given time, two of them trained military personnel, at one point a US General, and no one would stop him. Just stand there and watch him strangle the narrator. "Stop!" they'd shout, or chat with him, but not stop him. They would literally just let him go, then go chase him again, only to let him go, so they could chase him down before he killed more people. "He got away," was a reoccurring line. No, they all let him go.

In the alley, if they stopped him then, (it was three against one), the bracelet would have never even come into play. Yeah, no book if that happened. But as an editor, that means there needed to be a different driving force for the plot.

The reason the bad guy was free, and why he was bad took away from the intriguing premise. I wish that the foundation would've been more rational and thought-out to support the universe created. Kori was holding her own most of the time against him, yet trained professionals just... watched him hurt her, and then let him walk away. Over and over, ensuring there would be a book #2. 'That' is my issue.

As I said, with different execution of the storyline, what is a promising 3.5 star book could've been a solid 5-star read.

Recommended to Young Adult. I'm on the fence on whether or not I wish to read book #2.

Young adult age-range: 14+ due to violence and kissing. Young Adult Science-Fiction/parallel universes.

Jus Accardo spent her childhood reading and learning to cook. Determined to follow in her grandfather's footsteps as a chef, she applied and was accepted to the Culinary Institute of America. At the last minute, she realized her path lay with fiction, not food, and passed on the spot to pursue writing. Jus is the author of YA paranormal romance and urban fantasy fiction. A native New Yorker, she lives in the middle of nowhere with her husband, three dogs, and sometimes guard bear, Oswald.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Infinity (The Infinity Division #1) by Jus Accardo to read and review.

Weathering the Storm by Caitlin Ricci

Robbie’s dad has always been hard on Robbie and his brothers, but when their mom dies on Robbie’s sixteenth birthday, he becomes downright abusive. Robbie doesn't understand why his dad is so mean to him or why his brothers resent him for their mom's accident, but he desperately tries to hide the bruises. On top of that, after his dad's horse training jobs run out, he moves them to Colorado to their uncle's ranch in the mountains.

At Uncle Caleb's cabin, Robbie meets Sam, a boy whose family also lives on the property. Finally he has a real friend who shares his love of horses, but Sam is black and openly gay. Both traits incur Robbie’s father’s rage. When his dad attacks Robbie in front of Uncle Caleb for standing up for Sam and himself, all of their secrets are thrown out into the open, and Robbie's life is changed forever.

Book 1
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ARe  ~  B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Harmony Ink

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆
3.5 stars
M/M coming of age
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

This was a hard story to read. Robbie's father is somewhat of a mean person, to put it nicely. This story is about growing up looking for constant approval. There are three brothers who are all show riders, but Robbie has it the hardest. His dad is constantly scrutinizing him, belittling him, hitting him.

I would say that this story is young adult – it's more about coming of age, accepting what you need, learning to navigate the world, and learning to trust yourself. It's difficult to read due to the father's propensity for violence. He strikes Robbie whenever he feels Robbie is deserving.

The brothers are somewhat cumbersome in the story and there is A LOT of growing up that is necessary for both. They treat Robbie very poorly throughout – the brotherly relationship is not very close.

Throwing in the relationship between Sam and Robbie, which is young, naïve, and juvenile, the whole story is cluttered. I wish that we had more of an ending – it felt abrupt. I am wondering if there will be more books, because the reader is left with a lot of questions.

Caitlin began writing when she was in middle school but it wasn't until 2012 that she first got up the guts to submit something to a publisher. That first short story was accepted and later that same year she quit her job and became a full time author. She is forever grateful to her readers for giving her first short story a chance and for their continued support as well.

Caitlin was fortunate growing up to be surrounded by family and teachers that encouraged her love of reading. She has always been a voracious reader and that love of the written word easily morphed into a passion for writing. If she isn't writing, she can usually be found studying as she works toward her counseling degree. She comes from a military family and the men and women of the armed forces are close to her heart. She also enjoys gardening and horseback riding in the Colorado Rockies where she calls home with her wonderful fiancé and their two dogs. Her belief that there is no one true path to happily ever after runs deeply through all of her stories.

Connect with Caitlin

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Google+  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Weathering the Storm (Robbie & Sam #1) by Caitlin Ricci to read and review. Review copy was purchased by the blog during a "freebie" promotion.

Ethan by Ryan Loveless

Carter Stevenson is looking forward to a fresh start in a new high school on the other side of the country. It’ll give him a chance to escape his reputation for twitching and stuttering. He’ll have the summer to himself in his new home in California, and in the fall, he won’t get involved in any activity that puts his Tourette’s center stage. He won’t stand out as different.

But his new neighbor, Ethan, isn’t just going to change his plans. He’s going to change Carter’s life.

Ethan Hart is recovering from a traumatic brain injury, but it doesn’t dampen his enthusiasm or love for life. As soon as he sees Carter, who moves like the music Ethan sees between the clouds and the grass, he’s determined to become his friend, and then his boyfriend. And even if his parents say their romance can’t get physical, Ethan won’t let it stand in the way of falling in love.

Stepping into the spotlight was the last thing Carter ever wanted, but Ethan, along with a group of friends who like him just the way he is—tics and all—starts to change his mind.

Adapted as a YA edition of the award-winning novel Ethan, Who Loved Carter by Ryan Loveless.

Buy Links

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ARe  ~  B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo
Harmony Ink

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆
4 Lovely Stars.

Ryan Loveless is a new-to-me author, and I found her writing style to be endearing, drawing out the important emotions in her character development, and life-centric, without any bells and whistles and unnecessary shock-value.

I had requested this book a few weeks ago – truthfully, I read it next as my reviewing schedule dictated, going in blind, not even knowing what genre Ethan belonged to, totally forgetting the blurb and whatnot. So it was a surprise from the start for me. Until two minutes ago, I didn't even realize this was a reinterpretation of sorts to Ethan, Who Loved Carter. So I'll have to check that book out in the future.

Ethan is narrated by Carter and Ethan. Carter is suffering with Tourette's Syndrome, and is bullied and mocked at school. He doesn't have many friends, all of them older, and mainly keeps to himself. Carter and his family move from the Midwest to California to start a new life, or maybe it's more like Carter decides to start living life and finally accepts who he truly is.

Ethan is Carter's neighbor, suffering from brain damage. There is a sense of grief surrounding Ethan's family over what they lost, as Ethan was destined to be a bright star. But Ethan isn't the same guy as Before – together, Ethan and Carter prove they're who they are now, and that's just as good, if not better.

Truth be told, seeing life through the lens of two boys suffering with their brains not functioning properly was a new perspective, one the author handled with compassion and plenty of research for accuracy.

The story itself revolves around both boys coming to terms with who they are, while Ethan deals with past demons. I don't want to give the plot away, but it's 100% focused on our narrators, heavy on the character development. The entire cast of characters are in a supportive role, realistically written, patient and understanding, and lend a feel-good vibe to the book.

I do need to point out something that may make some uncomfortable. While Ethan is 18, and Carter is a newly 16, some may find the sexual content difficult to swallow. At 15, Ethan had an accident that left him brain-damaged, no longer with a filter. He has needs, and he speaks freely about such needs. I have no doubt this is a common issue with this type of injury, but some readers may not be comfortable when they perceive Ethan to be a grown man with a child's mind (he doesn't truly have a child's mind – he just thinks differently than the societal norm). Some readers may see this as Ethan being taken advantage of, but I need to stress that Ethan is 18, and these are his decisions, and he is the initiator. Even I, who could wrap my mind around it, had a difficult time with this portion of the storyline – I understood it, tried to empathize with it, but still had a tough time. So just be warned.

Recommended to MM romance fans, particularly those who enjoy a story featuring characters outside of what society considers 'their' normal, with a hurt-comfort vibe. This is a young adult, coming-of-age storyline, with a supportive unit of family and friends, focusing more on overcoming/accepting mental disabilities rather than LGBTQ issues.

Young Adult age-range: 14+ but with parental discretion, as the novel does involve minimal sexual content/suggestions, and topics include past violence leading to disabilities, and bullying.


Angela – ☆☆☆☆☆
About six months ago, I listened to the audiobook edition of Ethan, Who Loved Carter, the adult M/M contemporary romance upon which Ethan is based. Having worked with persons with stutters and tics similar to those of Tourette’s Syndrome and individuals who have suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), I recall thinking were it not for the sexual interactions, that Ethan, Who Loved Carter would have been a wonderful book for teens to read because it was not only a sweet romance, it was also a much needed lesson in diversity that’s often overlooked. While it’s a fictional tale of two men who find love because of their differences and not despite them, Loveless does a wonderful job of portraying Ethan’s Tourette’s and Carter’s TBI in a realistic fashion, thus providing the reader invaluable information in an entertaining way, making it more likely they’ll retain it. I applaud Loveless in reworking the story to make it appropriate for young adult readers and Harmony Ink for making such a beautiful tale available to them.

Ethan opens with one of Carter’s most embarrassing moments – his tic-riddled performance in a school-wide talent show. Carter considered the incident humiliating because singing and playing his guitar was one of the few times his tics were somewhat controlled, yet having the entire student body as the audience put more stress on him than he expected and resulted in an increased level of tics that interfered with his performance. Needless to say, he’s not all that upset when he learns that he and his parents will be moving in two weeks, as soon as he finishes out the school year. While getting to know new people is difficult for Carter, especially when his tics cause him to stutter, he sees a light at the end of the tunnel when he learns that his next door neighbor isn’t “normal” either – and he’s cute. Despite getting off on the wrong foot by inadvertently offending his neighbor, Carter befriends Ethan and soon finds himself caught up in Ethan and his family’s life. And what was intended to be a summer spent adjusting to a new place becomes so much more as Carter is quickly absorbed into Ethan’s life, introduced to Ethan’s music, introduced to Ethan’s friends and forming bonds with them, and learns that what he thought was love before, wasn’t even a pale imitation of what he feels for Ethan.

I absolutely loved Ethan. I said it before and I’ll say it again, Loveless has done an outstanding job in reworking Ethan and Carter’s story into a young adult romance. The issues of sexuality are still addressed, but done so in way that is appropriate for 16-year-old Carter – the dreaded sex talk with his father (hysterically awkward, by the way). Even better is that conversations about sex between Ethan and Carter are very open because that’s how Ethan is, straightforward and honest about what he wants, yet willing to listen to and respect Carter’s feelings about it, despite his lack of impulse control. One of the things that really struck me about Ethan is how the maturity level between Carter and Elliot (Ethan’s younger brother) were so different even though they were only a few months apart in age. Although Elliot has his moments of understanding beyond his years because of adjustments he had to make after Ethan’s TBI, he still has more of a teen mindset than Carter, whose Tourette’s has likely forced him to grow up quicker and develop a thicker skin so that most of the taunts and insults can be ignored. Even though I’d already experienced parts of their journey before, I loved being able to take this journey again with a young Carter and young Ethan as theirs is a beautiful story, no matter the intended audience.

Young adult age recommendation: 12 and up. As someone who has worked with people with TBI and tics and stutters similar to Tourette’s, I’d love to see teens read this book sooner rather than later. There are a couple of instances of bigotry, but the most severe occurs off the page and is relayed as a memory several years after the fact. As for sexual content, it’s limited to kissing, one scene of mutual masturbation, and some rather frank talk about bodily functions because of Ethan’s inability to recognize social mores.

RYAN LOVELESS is a farmer’s daughter. She has a BA in English from a private college in Illinois and a master’s degree in library and information science with an archival certificate from a university in New York. Raised in a conservative family, she was shocked and relieved when her coming out was largely uneventful. She has been writing since she could read and has always drifted toward M/M because she enjoys the relationship dynamics. It’s possible that her first story was about GI Joe. She wishes she still had that story.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Ethan by Ryan Loveless to read and review.

Turn the World Upside Down by Nyrae Dawn

Hunter Donovan’s life always seemed perfect, but there was something rotten beneath the shiny surface. When the truth comes out and his dad is sent to prison, Hunter can only react with anger. His rage boils out of control, leading to a violent incident at school, and then to Hunter being sent to a mental health facility—Better Days.

Hunter doesn’t see how therapy can help him. If it can’t change the past, what good is it? It’s not like he can go back in time, see the horrible things going on right under his nose, and put a stop to them. No, he should have found that strength when he had the chance, and now it’s too late.

There is a ray of light at Better Days, though, in the friendships Hunter forges. Anxiety-ridden Casey, uninhibited Rosie, recovering bulimic Bethany, and Stray, a self-harmer who’s never had a home, lighten Hunter’s feelings of isolation.

Despite the connections he’s forming—and even the love blossoming between him and Stray—Hunter can’t escape his shame and remorse. If Hunter can’t open up and find a way to deal with what happened, he might end up another casualty of mental illness, just like one of the friends he’s grown to love.

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Harmony Ink

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆
4 Emotionally Compelling Stars.

Turn the World Upside Down was a difficult book to read, as well as review. The dark subject matter was handled with compassion and from a different point-of-view meant to open minds and widen perceptions. I applaud the author for tackling such subject matter in the manner in which it was handled.

When bad things happen in a family to a singular person by another family member, usually everyone rallies around the victim, leaving the rest of the family to be in the supportive role. But, the problem with this, while the victim needs the attention and compassion, the entire family was the victim as well, leaving other siblings in the dark – forgotten.

Turn the World Upside Down was the voice of those usually forgotten in the shuffle – not the direct victim, but still someone affected by the events, but nonetheless forgotten. I appreciate this differing viewpoint, and it was refreshing to read how the author enlightened readers on how this devastates an entire family, each member in a different way.

Hunter is the older brother of a little sister who was abused. He feels responsible because he was the brother, and it's his job to take care of his sister. He feels responsible for not hearing his sister when she asked for his attention as a buffer, even if the only way to interpret her words were afterward because Hunter was not a mind-reader. His guilt is eating him alive because he loved the abuser – idolized him – instead of seeing what was subtly hiding beneath the surface. The truth.

Angry at the world, but mostly himself due to misplaced guilt, Hunter rages, unable to release the tension on the only person it belongs. I understood Hunter, because I, too, don't believe in burdening others with my feelings, as their feelings are more important and I feel my emotions are private – none of their business unless I feel like sharing.

This rage built until Hunter could no longer contain it, causing his mother to send him to a camp for children with mental illness. Not only is he raging, he feels abandoned, but also understands how his behavior is taking away from the attention his sister needs. But Hunter needs attention too, because he's hurting in a different way.

On the pages of the novel, the reader is taken on a six-week journey as Hunter comes to terms with his emotions, learning he has no fault in what happened, and makes friends with other teens who are struggling.

Even with his new friends, Hunter feels as if he needs help the least, worrying about their issues more than his own, in a place where the teens all have an equal voice and need for help.

The difficulty with the novel is the tough subject matter involving not only Hunter's past and present, but the friends he makes. All have tragic mental illnesses. I couldn't help but feel that the last thing these kids needed to be around were more tragedies they would internalize and devour as if it were their own pain – it didn't feel healthy to me that Hunter would have to be in a place to heal with other children who were hellbent on making his wounds worse, while he dealt with everyone else's issues instead of his own.

While I understood the why of it, and applaud the author for showing this side, the entire situation didn't feel healthy to me. Forging connections and helping one another is fantastic, knowing you're not alone with your mental illness is a comfort, but making and losing friends due to their mental illness, while their illness writes its signature on your psyche is not healthy, especially with the bullying behind the scenes by other teens. Hunter shouldn't have had to deal with everyone's issues when he should have been dealing with his own, compounded by the devastation of losing new friends and being bullied/beaten, all of which were new stressors added on top of 'his' issues. It felt worse, not better.

It just felt as if the child didn't have the fortitude and family Hunter had, they didn't have a snowball's chance of healing due to the influences and pressures from the people in the very place they were placed in order to heal. Counterproductive, trying to find positivity in a negative environment.

The saying 'misery loves company' doesn't mean they ban together and find happiness – it means they dwell together in their misery, making it worse. I understand it, appreciate the angle the author provided, but I don't believe this type of environment is healthy for anyone – anywhere, even if it's reality for so many.

All of the characters were compelling, heart-breaking, and innocent in their mental illness, yet also manipulative and toxic as they tried to keep their issues alive. The friendships forged were inspiring, yet sometimes enabling and destructive to one another. The romantic relationship between Hunter and Stray was innocent and sweet, filled with hope for the future for those who made an attempt at getting better.

All-in-all, Nyrae Dawn created a novel which will make the reader think for a long time after they finish the book, but I can't say I 'enjoyed' it.

I do recommend it to those who won't be triggered by the subject matter, and to those in the right emotional mindset to tackle the story. However, I don't think it's a book for everyone – not that any book truly is. I particularly recommend to those who need the comfort of knowing others are going through similar situations they may be in, and to see a differing viewpoint via the victim who wasn't the direct victim of the assailant.

Hunter had a voice, and I'm glad I got to hear it.

Young adult age-range: 14+ due to bullying/violence, abusive subject matter, mental illness and the effects, and kissing.


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is a powerful and difficult story about a group of teenagers with a range of mental health problems. The story is told from the perspective of Hunter, a boy who has not been able to deal with a horrific family crisis.

Hunter is a flawed, often self-centred narrator and his observations of his friends and peers in a rehabilitation centre give readers glimpses of each character in the centre without ever fully revealing their problems, emotions, and experiences. Hunter is crippled by guilt and his temper is focused inwards. I found it impossible not to care for him, but his destructive behaviour made him very difficult to like.

Hunter’s small group of friends become real characters once Hunter starts to take interest in the world around him. I found it fascinating to piece together each character through Hunter’s observations, even when Hunter himself doesn’t understand what he is observing.

This is more of a young adult story with gay main characters than a gay romance. The romance between Hunter and Stray is sweet and complicated, but it really isn’t the focus of this story. The focus is Hunter’s experiences as he struggles to deal with the responsibility he feels for the incident that shattered his family. His relationships – both romantic and platonic – are part of his recovery.

This isn’t an easy story with a simple happily ever after. There is a raw honesty in this writing that I found very difficult at times. It is a beautifully written story. The author never talks down to her teen audience and she refuses to offer easy platitudes. It is an important and moving book.


Veronica – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is a story about teens struggling with mental health issues, told through Hunter's time at the Better Days clinic. Self-harm, bulling, sexual assault, and suicide are among some of the issues dealt with in this story. At times it makes for difficult reading and I shed plenty of tears, but I loved these characters and this book with all my heart.

I, like many out there, am presently experiencing my own issues and this book hit the spot. In her dedication Nyrae Dawn says "This book is dedicated to you. To anyone who needs it." Well I needed it. Thank you Ms. Dawn.

NYRAE DAWN can almost always be found with a book in her hand or an open document on her laptop. She couldn’t live without books—reading or writing them. Oh, and chocolate. She’s slightly addicted.

She feels a special pull to characters in their teens. There’s something so fresh and fun about the age that she adores exploring. Her husband says it’s because she doesn’t want to grow up. She doesn’t think that’s such a bad thing. Luckily for her, he doesn’t either.

Nyrae gravitates toward character-driven stories. Whether reading or writing, she loves emotional journeys. It’s icing on the cake when she really feels something, but is able to laugh too. She’s a proud romantic, who has a soft spot for flawed characters. She loves people who aren’t perfect, who make mistakes, but also have big hearts.

Nyrae is living her very own happily ever after in California with her gorgeous husband (who still makes her swoon) and her two incredibly awesome kids.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Turn the World Upside Down by Nyrae Dawn to read and review.